Willie Kent

Background

Kent was born in Inverness, Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Career

Although he had played the bass guitar in Chicago"s clubs since the 1950s, Kent worked full-time in careers other than music until he was over 50 years of age. Following heart surgery, he stopped work as a truck driver, and formed a band. Kent continued to play live shows, even after being diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2005.

He died in Englewood, Illinois in March 2006.

Achievements

• W.C. Handy Awards: Best Blues Instrumentalist, Bass 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Critics" Choice: Most Outstanding Blues Musician, Bass from Living Blues magazine (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001) Readers" Choice: Album of the Year 2001 from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin" Alive Critics" Choice: Album of the Year 2001 from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin" Alive France Blues Award: Best Blues Musician, Bass for the years 2002, 2003 Chicago"s Album of the Year 1998: for Make Room for the Blues Library of Congress" Best Blues Recording of the Year 1991: for Ain"t lieutenant Nice.